Lysine is an important amino acid and a building block for protein. L-lysine is a form of lysine that your body can utilize and is found naturally in foods such as meat, seafood, and dairy products, or taken as supplements.
This amino acid plays a vital role in immune system support, collagen production, muscle health support, and the transport of fat cells to be burned for energy. L-lysine also produces carnitine, which is an important substance found in almost every cell in your body.
Maintaining L-lysine levels is essential for immune health, but supplements can provide additional support to people looking to promote overall health.
How L-Lysine Supports The Immune System
Despite being a small amino acid, L-lysine provides some important benefits to your body and overall health.
Support Immune Health
L-lysine works to support your immune system by encouraging proper immune cell activity. This amino acid supports the activity of specific antibodies known as IgG, which help to identify and protect against environmental and seasonal threats. L-lysine also supports immune responses to reduce occasional unwanted oxidative stress.
Modern lifestyle choices that do not include balanced diets and everyday stress can affect your immune system function. L-lysine supports immune cell activity to promote a strong, healthy immune response and protection from occasional environmental threats.
L-lysine can also reduce everyday stress levels connected to occasional outbreaks. As part of a regular health routine, L-lysine can help avoid the unsightly and uncomfortable common immune-related problems of skin and tissues in and around the mouth.
Mood Support
L-lysine was shown to reduce everyday stress, calm emotions, help with occasional irritability, and sooth tension. Regular L-lysine supplementation can help reduce common oxidative stress in the brain, which can support cognitive function and healthy mood.
Collagen Production
Collagen is a protein that helps to support and provide structure to bones and skin. L-lysine is required for collagen production and can help support healthy bone formation and bone and connective tissue maintenance. It also serves as a binding agent, reinforcing the body’s cellular structure and function to promote healthy recovery.
Blood Pressure Support
Blood pressure is important for cardiovascular health, and age-related changes are inevitable. With proper attention, healthy blood pressure can be supported throughout life. Regular L-lysine supplementation can support healthy blood pressure as part of a healthy routine.
Promote Strong Bones
The structure of bone changes as a natural part of aging, leading to loss of bone tissue. L-lysine supports proper calcium absorption to promote strong bones. Regular lysine supplementation can support and fortify your existing skeletal structure and support bone density as you age.
Support Blood Sugar Levels
Healthy blood sugar levels are important for overall heart health. Careful monitoring of blood glucose, along with L-lysine supplements, can be useful in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. L-lysine helps support glucose metabolism, an essential component of proper heart function.
L-Lysine Deficiency
Due to the importance of L-lysine to several biological processes, a lack of this amino acid can affect your health. The symptoms of L-lysine deficiency✝ to look for include:
♦ Occasional nausea
♦ Red eyes
♦ Everyday fatigue
♦ Poor concentration
♦ Irritability
♦ Unexplained weight loss
♦ Low iron levels
♦ Hair loss
✝ According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), protein deficiency, and therefore amino acid deficiency, is very rare in the United States, except as a consequence of pathologic conditions and poor medical management of the acutely ill.
How Much L-lysine Can You Take Per Day?
When taking the recommended dosage of L-lysine, it is considered safe for adults. Typically, the dietary guideline for L-lysine consumption is 1000 mg per day. In most cases, a dose of 3000 mg per day is considered safe.
L-lysine should be taken on an empty stomach with a glass of water. The amount you need each day is based on your weight, but you should always speak with your doctor before taking this supplement.
- 12 mg/ kg of body weight for adults
- 44 mg/ kilogram for children aged 11-12
- 97 mg/ kilogram for infants
Most people in the United States get their recommended daily dose of L-lysine without making dietary changes. But, individuals that do not eat meat, dairy, or other animal products may need to get supplemental support or consume extra plant-based sources.
Side Effects and Warnings
The dietary guideline for L-lysine consumption is 1 gram per day. Excessive consumption of L-lysine can reduce the ability of your immune system to fend off occasional toxins. Too much L-lysine can also affect cholesterol levels and heart health. Speak with your doctor if you are currently taking medications for cholesterol. It’s best to take L-Lysine in the morning, right after waking and on an empty stomach.
L-lysine works in combination with another amino acid, arginine, to support circulatory health. Too much L-lysine can disrupt the balance of these amino acids and which can prevent arginine from moving through the body to where it is needed. L-lysine also promotes the absorption of calcium, so it is important to monitor calcium intake to ensure levels do not become unbalanced.
Taking L-lysine is safe and effective in recommended doses. Too much L-lysine in the body can affect your health, so always speak with your doctor before adding a supplement to your daily routine.
The Bottom Line
L-lysine is important for the support of several systems in the body and is essential because it must be obtained from other sources. L-lysine helps support hormone production and enzyme regulation. Following a recommended dose of L-lysine from your doctor can help you achieve optimal immune, heart, and cognitive health.
